Dog walking in Merri-bek pilot - Update

The ‘Dog Walking in Merri-bek’ pilot program will run in 9 parks, with three of the sites in the Merri Creek habitat corridor.

The Friends submission reiterates the community and Council’s prioritisation of nature conservation and ecological restoration in the management of the Merri Creek and adjoining open space. But the Council is also hearing from people who want to see more Merri Creek habitat designated off-lead.

We encourage you to contact Merri-bek Councillors, highlighting the importance of the Merri parklands for biodiversity, climate mitigation, and the negative impacts of off-lead dogs on wildlife, plants and other park users.

You can also ask a question at Merri-bek Council’s next meeting at 6.30pm Wednesday 11 June 2025.
This is a great way to remind councillors of all community voices.

The passage below, submitted to Council at their May meeting, is from one of the Friends' newest sub-groups – both a plea and a question for decision makers:

I’m Verity Campbell, co-convenor of a new volunteer habitat restoration group in East Coburg. We work on Egan and Tate Reserves by the Merri Creek. We are a sub-group of Friends of Merri Creek, who for nearly 50 years, with Merri-bek Council, Merri Creek Management Committee, and others, have transformed Merri Creek from a denuded, degraded waterway into the rich and flourishing haven it is today. Because of this immense collaborative effort, Merri Creek is home to increasing numbers of birds, insects, and even swamp wallabies. Our community Facebook groups light up with joy every time one is seen.

But we cannot take our beautiful environment for granted. We know that dog registrations in Merri-bek have tripled in the last 6 years, with this figure likely to increase. 

Everyone who visits Tate Reserve can see the impact off-leash dogs are having on flora and fauna. From degradation from off-leash dogs entering the water to swim, to enlarging swathes of bare dirt due to off-leash dogs trampling the landscape, to off-leash dog attacks on baby magpies. This beautiful habitat reserve we all love is on the downhill slide.

In this part of Merri-bek there are 14 significant areas for exercising dogs already. Ten of them are already off-leash. That means 71% of precious open space is already prioritised for off-leash dogs and the damage they bring to bear.   

I’m a dog owner. I don’t like to think that my beloved, shaggy Lottie has an environmental impact locally and more broadly. That she scares birds from nesting and ground feeding, and that her scuffing after pooing and playing damages baby plants trying to make it in the world, and that her swims - she is a water hound after all - pollute our waterways. But this is an uncomfortable truth.

Leash laws protect sensitive wildlife and ecosystems. Leash laws protect fellow pets. Leashing your dog is kind to those who might be afraid. 

The reality is, there is no space left for flora and fauna in Merri-bek other than the creek lines.

My question is, during this next stage of the Dog Walking Merri-bek consultation, how will Council measure the incredible value of the flora and fauna of Merri Creek, to ensure that the decisions we make today are equitable, regenerative and respond to the climate and biodiversity crises we face as a community?

Dog walking in Merri-bek – FoMC submission.

Photo: Verity Campbell and Lottie